Abstract: In order to explore the pressure relief effect of diamond wire saw cutting coal seam, the physical similarity simulation test was used to analyze the stress and displacement distribution characteristics of coal rock strata above and below the slot after cutting balance. At the same time, FLAC^{3 D} software was used to carry out the numerical simulation of wire saw cutting coal seam, and the stress distribution characteristics and periodic evolution law of coal rock mass around the slot were analyzed with the advance of coal cutting face. The research shows that after the diamond wire saw is cut to form a slot, a stress concentration zone, a pressure relief zone and a stress recovery zone will be formed above and below the slot, and the stress recovery zone occurs in the middle of the slot. The pressure relief effect of the slot initial cutting position and the stop cutting position is better; increasing the number of slits and increasing the diameter of the diamond wire saw will increase the pressure relief range. This study provides a reference for the pressure relief gas control of the diamond wire saw cutting coal seam.